Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 19, 2022: SOAP #4461:  Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

(reworked from 2016)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 26:24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”  25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.

OBSERVATION: Festus had invited King Agrippa to listen to Paul and then give advice on what charges to write out when sending Paul to Rome. As Paul is passionately speaking to King Agrippa, Festus loudly interrupts. Two dynamics were at work as Paul was speaking. First, he was speaking truth that could not be denied. It was reasonable. Second, the anointing of the Holy Spirit was upon Paul as he spoke. The Holy Spirit was convicting the hearts of the hearers. The Spirit’s presence can be seen in Festus’ reaction. He had to respond. He interrupted King Agrippa’s hearing.

APPLICATION:  When I am speaking to a large gathering, or to a single individual, it is a team ministry. God depends on me to open my mouth and speak the truth; I depend on the Holy Spirit to do the anointing and convicting. 

The same is true with the SOAPs.  They also are a team ministry.  The Holy Spirit draws my attention to a passage of scripture.  He makes it clear how it applies to my life.  Then I write out the SOAP and send it on its way.  The Holy Spirit applies it to your life.  And for some the team is even larger as another person translates it into your language or someone else prints it on a sheet of paper for you to read. 

But however it arrives to each of us, the SOAPs were started by the Holy Spirit and finally applied by the Holy Spirit to our lives. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, may I always speak word that are true and reasonable. I want to speak words that you can anoint. Amen

Pastor Leon
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